Chapter 24

The deaf old lady thought for over ten seconds, apparently having figured out the concrete consequences, she picked up a pen and wrote her name in the blank space below the application form, and also pressed her handprint.

Translate: "The deaf old lady thought for over ten seconds, presumably having figured out the concrete consequences, she picked up a pen and wrote her name in the blank space below the application, and also pressed her handprint."

We need to keep numbers exactly: "over ten seconds" -> over ten seconds? Actually "over ten seconds" means "more than ten seconds". Could translate as "over ten seconds". Keep number: "over ten seconds". Could also say "more than ten seconds". We'll keep "over ten seconds". Ensure we keep "over ten seconds" meaning "over ten seconds". We'll translate as "over ten seconds". Good.

So straightforward.

It was because the deaf old lady, seeing Shazhu take care of He Yushui, recognized his sense of responsibility as an older brother, and thought that by doing him a favor she could win his friendship.

We need to keep "do a favor" meaning "do a favor". We'll translate as "do him a favor". Good.

The relationship should be gradually brought closer.

But you can't just come out and ask people to support you in your old age.

That would scare the other party away.

As long as the relationship is handled well, even without mentioning it, the other party will willingly take care of your old age.

Long Linzhenying!

Long is the surname of the deaf old lady's husband's family, while Linzhenying is her original name.

Shazhu has lived two lives.

This was the first time he learned the deaf old lady's name.

"Thank you, Granny, Granny, you've really helped me a lot; in a moment I'll have Yushui kowtow to you."

Shazhu bowed to the deaf old lady, then turned and hurried straight to Yi Zhonghai's house in the central courtyard.

Why didn't Shazhu go directly next door to Liu Haizhong's house, but instead went to the trouble of going to the central courtyard? Because among the three senior managers, Yi Zhonghai comes first, and Liu Haizhong comes after Yi Zhonghai.

One must follow this order.

It's different from the deaf old lady's house.

Shazhu pushed the door open and entered Yi Zhonghai's house.

Yi Zhonghai was alone, puffing on a cigarette, not knowing what he was thinking; the elder aunt was tidying up the housework, muttering unintelligibly.

Seeing Shazhu arrive at the door.

Both of their faces showed a look of joy.

Probably because Shazhu listened to their words, made a meat dish for the deaf old lady, and also sent them a bowl; regardless of how much meat, at the very least his attitude pleased both of them.

"Shazhu, I just saw you go to the rear courtyard again."

The hypocrite is testing, probing whether Shazhu went to see the deaf old lady or to see Xu Damu.

"I went to the old lady's house and got her to sign a character; I wasn't thinking of sending it to the street office, but I don't know what's wrong, it just feels off. Elder, please help me check, see if there's anything inappropriate, and we'll correct it."

Shazhu appeared humble and eager to learn.

He also handed the application form to Yi Zhonghai.

The hypocrite stubbed out his cigarette, took what Shazhu handed over, glanced at it roughly, and his heart pounded wildly.

Sever the father-son relationship with He Daqing.

This seems somewhat beyond Yi Zhonghai's expectation.

"Shazhu, what is this?"

"Elder, it's like this, I…."

Shazhu repeated a bit of the reason the deaf old lady had said, without adding anything else.

Some information.

Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old lady share this.

We should try to create in Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old lady's minds the impression of a young person, so that they let down their guard against Shazhu.

Upon hearing Shazhu's explanation.

The hypocrite also dispelled his troubled thoughts.

Shazhu asked the hypocrite for his methods, deeply pleasing the hypocrite.

In Yi Zhonghai's mind, this is Shazhu's expression of respect and obedience toward Yi Zhonghai.

"Shazhu, logically speaking, since the old lady has signed, this application already has the effect of this proof; the old lady is the stabilizing pillar of our courtyard, you're still young and don't consider things thoroughly enough, so it's good you came to find Elder; otherwise it would be a laughingstock."

Yi Zhonghai took the pen from Shazhu's hand, wrote his name after the deaf old lady's name, and also pressed his handprint.

He also advised Shazhu to go separately find Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui, so they could also sign and stamp the application.

Shazhu also, as much as possible, echoed Yi Zhonghai, insincerely praising Yi Zhonghai, saying Yi Zhonghai is experienced, etc.

After that, following Yi Zhonghai's instructions, which was actually also Shazhu's own plan, he found Liu Haizhong, found Yan Fugui, and found those residents of the Siheyuan.

Just one sentence.

Shazhu got this application approved.

It bound the entire Siheyuan's twenty-odd households.

If anyone were to investigate Shazhu's identity, the twenty-odd households of the Siheyuan, over a hundred people, would all have to die with him.

Only two households remained unsigned.

One household is Jia Zhangshi in the central courtyard.

One household is Xu Damu in the rear courtyard.

That bastard Xu Damu doesn't know what he's up to; anyway, he's not home.

Shazhu arrived at the Jia family.

Jia Dongxu lay on the bed sleeping; Jia Zhangshi sat beside the bed mending a pillow, which still seemed to have a double happiness character on it.

"Jia Granny." Shazhu chuckled, "What are you busy with?"

"Shazhu, keep your voice down, don't disturb our Dongxu's sleep; our Dongxu has been learning fitting from Yi Zhonghai for a few days, and it's really worn him out."

"Being tired is good; who doesn't know that Elder is a famous fitting expert at the Yagangchang? Although he's currently level four, I reckon in a few days he'll be promoted to level five fitting; Dongxu apprenticing under Elder as his master, who knows how many people envy him; I think that when Elder gets promoted to level five fitting, Dongxu can become a regular worker."

Asking someone to handle affairs.

Asking someone to handle affairs.

Your speaking kind words to people.

You pull a face, grumbling as you look for someone to handle affairs.

You'll probably get a straight big slap from the other side.

That's right, our Dong Xu is very smart.

A trace of pride flashed across Jia Zhangshi's face.

Highlighted.

Since Jia Dongxu hasn't taken a wife, Jia Zhangshi worries her poor reputation will cause her son to remain a bachelor, though her conduct in dealing with others is still acceptable.

Afterward, because Jia Dongxu died, Shazhu began aiding Qin Huairu on Yi Zhonghai's orders; Jia Zhangshi then turned shrewish and shameless, becoming lazy and gluttonous, neglecting housework and refusing to look for work on the street, all as if trying to drag Qin Huairu to her death.

Shazhu guessed.

Perhaps Jia Dongxu's death wiped out some of Jia Zhangshi's thoughts.

Or maybe Jia Zhangshi hopes, by acting shameless and shrewish, to preserve the Jia family's estate.

People live in this world.

Too hard.

Sometimes you have to do things against your will.

Just like Shazhu now, wearing a false mask and spouting nonsense with the Jia family's hollow affection.

In our Siheyuan, Dong Xu is the smartest.

Do I need you to say I'm smart?

Dong Xu, are you up?

With your voice so loud, I'd be amazed if I could sleep.

Shazhu, it's all your fault.

Fine fine fine, it's my responsibility.

Anything?

It's nothing major, just have Dong Xu help me sign here." While Shazhu was speaking, he handed the application to Jia Dongxu, saying, "Who made you the Siheyuan's first top door person, landing you with such a fine mother-in-law who's cultivated blessings for eight lifetimes."

Shazhu opens his mouth, honeyed and smooth, coaxing Jia Zhangshi into delight and placing a high praise hat on Jia Dongxu.